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The McHenry County Conservation District received an Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant for $30,000 to prepare snowmobile trails for use.
The grant was one of three totaling $206,100 awarded last year through the Illinois Snowmobile Grant Program and the Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund Grant Program, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The Freeport Park District in Stephenson County received $27,100 for snowmobile trail improvements and the Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs received $149,000 for snowmobile trail insurance, purchase of a new groomer, groomer operations and maintenance, and snowmobile trail maintenance in various counties in Illinois.
The McHenry County Conservation District has over 17 miles of snowmobile trails in Glacial Park and along the Prairie Trail, which connect with numerous other trails in the county, according to the district’s website.
Snowmobile trails open when there is at least 4 inches of snowfall on frozen ground or 6 inches on unfrozen ground. When snowmobile trails are open, the Prairie Trail North in Glacial Park and Rush Creek horse trails are closed to all other recreational activities.
Printed County snowmobile trail maps are available at Brookdale Administrative Office in Woodstock, Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake, and Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Ringwood for a suggested donation of $3. That donation goes to the McHenry County Snowmobile Association for trail maintenance and grooming.